June, 2009
Below are links to articles posted in June, 2009
Vote for the ‘Night of the Creeps’ DVD Cover
The most hotly anticipated horror DVD of the year — easily — is Fred Dekker’s “Night of the Creeps”, hitting store shelves this Fall. Amazon is letting you vote for the official DVD cover!
Click here to vote.. . . .
Guy Pearce to Star in ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’
Another horror remake on the horizon is the Guillermo del Toro-produced redo of the classic TV film “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.”
Pearce and Bailee Madison have both joined the cast of the film, which is set to start shooting in July. Pearce plays an author whose daughter (Madison) discovers dangerous monsters in their home. Katie Holmes is playing Pearce’s girlfriend.
The 1973 TV film remains a mega-classic unavailable on DVD, although it did make its way to VHS in the ’80s.. . .
HG Lewis Interview
We just got word about an interview with the Godfather of Gore, Herschell Gordon Lewis. With movies like Blood Feast, Gore Gore Girls, and more.. he has proven himself to be the originator of splat-stic gore and a true horror…
Summer Slaughter in July
Oh yes, its time once again for another round of blood curdling, gut wrenching Independent Horror on the big screen. This time around its Summer Slaughter! Slashers, Psychos, and Serial Killers!
We are showcasing some of the best indie slashers out…
Trailer for ‘Daybreakers’
Hitting screens January 10, “Daybreakers” sounds like “I Am Legend” on crack.
Two-time Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a researcher in the year 2019, in which an unknown plague has transformed the world’s population into vampires. As the human population nears extinction, vampires must capture and farm every remaining human, or find a blood substitute before time runs out. However, a covert group of vampires makes a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race.
. . .
Is ‘Grindhouse’ Hitting Blu-Ray in August?
Blu-Ray.com is reporting that Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s double feature version of “Grindhouse” is hitting Blu-Ray in August — complete with faux trailers!
An early announcement to retailers indicates that Genius Products and The Weinstein Company are set to release Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Grindhouse’ on Blu-ray on August 11. No edition details are available, other than this would be a two-disc set, but it may well be the theatrical Grindhouse double feature.
‘Grindhouse’ was conceived, edited and shown theatrically (in the US) as a typical exploitation double-feature as one could attend at cheap theaters in the 1970s: it consisted of two features (’Planet Terror’, by Robert Rodriguez, and ‘Death Proof’ by Quentin Tarantino), interspersed with fake trailers and bumpers.
However, the film underperformed theatrically and the films were released separately (in expanded versions) on home video. The Grindhouse double feature wasn’t even released theatrically in Europe, and its only DVD release so far is a coveted special edition from Japan.
We’ll see if it happens. But Wal-Mart already has the title listed and available to order — but with an arrival date of Dec. 31..
Fall Horror Movie Guide
It’s been a pretty slow year for horror on the big screen, with many theatrical releases being PG-13 or remakes. But that’s all about to change beginning in August, when the Fall season kicks in and a slew of original and many R-rated horror films hit screens. Here’s what’s hitting cineplexes this Autumn.
August 28
Halloween II: Not technically a remake! Rob Zombie’s sequel to his own remake will likely be better than the 2007 film it is following up. Zombie’s hands are less tied down this time around, apparently.
The Final Destination: The fourth “Final Destination” film is in 3D and it is from David R. Ellis, the director of the second film — the goriest of the bunch.
September 4
Carriers: Four friends flee a pandemic and learn that they are, in fact, more dangerous than the virus.
Amazing ‘Trash Film Orgy’ Gets Down in Sacramento
If you haven’t checked out Sacramento’s annual “Trash Film Orgy,” you owe it to yourself to. If you’re within a 100-mile radius, do check it out. This year’s lineup has just been announced, and although it is a bit a light on horror movies it does include “Chopping Mall” in the lineup.
Here’s the scoop:
Northern California’s most infamous Midnight Movie Show returns for its 9th incredible season! Bringing you the best in 35mm Exploitation and Cult Cinema, TFO promises the ultimate theatre experience! With LIVE Bloody Stage Shows, Original Shorts, Audience Participation, Games, Costume Contests, Prizes and much, much MORE-you won’t believe your eyes!
This year’s festival features many exciting surprises…including the return of special guest stars and the TFO’s original host FRANCOIS FLY!!!
JULY 11th-
FLASH GORDON
SEE the 1980 Sci-Fi camp classic on the big screen! With Max Von Sydow, Sam Jones, Timothy Dalton, Melody Anderson and an amazing soundtrack from QUEEN!
JULY 18th-
SATAN’S CHEERLEADERS
SEE the incredible 1977 tale of naughty cheerleaders in league with Satan! With B-Movie veterans John Carradine, John Ireland and Yvonne DeCarlo! ALSO-see a special screening of TFO’s own CHEERLEADERS FROM HELL!
JULY 25th-
CHOPPING MALL
SEE this awesome 1986 robots-on-a-bloody rampage flick and find out what happens to unsuspecting teens who throw an all night party in the mall. (aka KILLBOTS). With Super Special Guest director Jim Wynorski LIVE in person!
AUGUST 1st-
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
SEE the 1992 film that started the Buffy phenomenon! With Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry, Paul Reubens and Hilary Swank.
Remakepalooza: The Latest on Outrageous Horror Movie Remakes
Yes, the rumors are true. John Landis has sold remake rights to “An American Werewolf in London” to Dimension Films, which is planning to produce a redo. At least he didn’t sell them to Platinum Dunes. Perhaps Rob Zombie will direct?
This is one remake project that we at ESplatter hope never gets off the ground. It’s a crime that John Landis even sold the rights!
Meanwhile, the Larry Cohen-produced “It’s Alive” remake is not heading to theaters.
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash Review
Review: Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash: The Nightmare Warriors Reviewed by: Maggie Roberge
Written by: Jeff Katz and James Kuhoric
Art by: Jason Craig
Colors by: Gabe Eltaeb
Letters by: Wes Abbott
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash: The Nightmare Warriors has every bit as much…
Final Destination 4 trailer
I LOVE all the Final Destination movies! I love watching how slowly all the crazy Rube Goldberg death contraptions come together, stretching the moments of dread right up until they cause each characters unusual demise. The fourth installment will be in 3D, and I’m really loving that idea! Here’s the HD trailer…
Bloody Pride
Bloody Pride (Reviews) – In the Blood/Hate Crime. By Brian Kirst
Who sez da’ queers can’t slash with the best of ‘em? Not I. In preparation for Pride Weekend 2009, I offer up the following:
In the Blood. A 1970’s influenced creeper,…
Vipers/Eye of the Beast Reviews
Reviews. Maneater series. Eye of the Beast/Vipers. By Brian Kirst
I have a feeling acclaimed author Joe Hill might dig the Maneater series. After all, his short story ‘You Will Hear the Locust Sing’ (in the wonderful collection ‘20th Century Ghosts’)…
Michael Jackson is Dead
Well it looks like it was not a good day to be a celeb! With the passing of Farah this morning, reports are coming in from all over the place saying that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop has died…
Smasher flick SWEATSHOP reviewed – “more smashed heads than any film I’ve ever seen”
Texas indie “smasher” SWEATSHOP reviewed on HorrorSociety.com » original news
Unjustly Forgotten Horror Movie of the Week: 1988’s ‘The Brain’
Our unjustly forgotten horror movie of this week could possibly be categorized as a justly forgotten horror movie — except it has one of the stars of “Re-Animator” in its cast.
1988’s “The Brain” made its way to VHS in the late ’80s/early ’90s, but never wound up on DVD. And don’t keep your fingers crosses for any kind of arrival in the format.
A pretty awful late 1980s attempt at Frank Henenlotter-style horror, “The Brain” does benefit from the presence of “Re-Animator” star David Gale as an evil TV self-help guru, who keeps a giant brain that he feeds thoughtwaves from his TV audience. The giant brain-monster also visits some of psychiatrist Gale’s teen patients in the form of Nightmare on Elm Street-like dream sequences, where tentacles reach through walls and inspire troubled young folk to kill their own parents, etc.
Horrible acting and cheesy special effects add to the production’s bad-movie entertainment value. Breznahan plays a one-dimensional high school student who is forced to go under psychiatric care after he blows up the school’s plumbing system as a practical joke. (The film even warns audiences during the end credits not to attempt this prank at school.) Preston plays his doting girlfriend.
Troma to Release 1970s Rarity ‘The Hanging Woman’
Lloyd Kaufman’s Troma has announced that they will release “La Orgia de Los Muertos” (aka, “The Hanging Woman”), a Spanish/Italian co-production directed in 1973 by José Luis Merino Starring Stelvio Rosi, Gérard Tichy and Paul Naschy as Igor.
As put by the press release:
Paul Naschy plays a supporting role as a deranged gravedigger in this zombie movie, set in a small highland village in 19th-century Scotland, where a stranger’s arrival to claim an inheritance is met with apocalyptic visions and other evil omens. The town unearths a crypt full of horrors, including a devil-worshipping coven and throngs of the living dead.. . . .
Magnet to Unleash ‘House of the Devil’
The Wagner/Cuban Companies’ Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that it has acquired U.S. rights to Ti West’s critically acclaimed horror film “The House of the Devil.”
A terrifically crafted homage to 80s horror masterpieces, the film premiered at Tribeca earlier this year and is sure to be an instant classic among genre fans, expertly building a mood of mounting dread to a shockingly terrifying climax. Director West, who was recently tapped by Hollywood to direct a high profile sequel, THE HAUNTING IN GEORGIA, has been regarded as something of a horror wunderkind since 2005’s THE ROOST, and THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL unquestionably fulfills that promise.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s Senior Vice President Tom Quinn with Josh Braun of Submarine and Roger Kass of RingTheJing Entertainment, on behalf of MPI Media Group, Glass Eye PIX, RingTheJing Entertainment and Constructovision.
Magnet is excited to release THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL as part of the Magnolia/Magnet Ultra VOD program, which will offer home viewers a chance to see the film a month before it debuts theatrically. Magnet plans to launch the film on VOD late September 2009, with a theatrical release timed to Halloween.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL stars the sexy Jocelin Donahue stars as college student Samantha Hughes who takes a babysitting job in a remote mansion with her good friend Megan (indie favorite Greta Gerwig).
Strip Club Slasher
Strip Club Slasher Synopsis:
A seedy, small town strip joint takes a down and dirty donkey punch to the back of the head when one of the girls is brutally murdered. Fearing that the killer may be targeting the local…
Deadgirl Poster
Dead Girl (2009) Synopsis:
Daringly original, genre-busting and certain to cause debate, Deadgirl is an odyssey into the soul of our alienated youth.
But by injecting universal teen moral moorings into something fantastical and terrifying, the film takes the conventions of the…
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